The Secret Baby

Chapter Fifteen

I had my son, Fredrick James Passon, on January 13th. He was a month early but in good health. Word spread around town about me leaving, and I was glad about it. That little town's gossip has been nothing more than a thorn in my side, and I was delighted to be gone. I stopped hearing from Jaxon four months ago; after he announced his engagement, he completely forgot about his daughter, which is fine by me since she forgot about him. I stayed in touch with Sam once in a while, but I wasn't seeking him out to be more than a friend.

One Friday night in February, I returned to work. I was feeling great, Josie was watching the babies, and I was ready to be back at work. The jukebox was playing, and the customers were flowing in. I was making my rounds when Sam walked in with one of his friends. "Hey," I said as I approached his table.

"Looking good, Charlotte. How about that ice cream?" Sam smiled.

"Monday?"

"Deal. Heads up, all the guys are meeting here tonight." Sam whispered. I nodded in understanding and went to the bar to fill the drinks.

At ten, Jaxon and Tessa walked in together. I walked past them without a second thought. Hudson took one look and headed to the jukebox. What the hell was this man going to play now? I let out a laugh as the beginning music notes of 'Done' by the Band Perry began playing. Hudson knew I'd need some good music to get me through. I can only imagine how many songs he queued up.

I purposely avoided their table; they want drinks, they can go to the bar. I was pouring drinks when Jaxon ordered at the bar. "I heard you skipped town."

"Don't believe everything you hear."

"I went to your house last month when I got home, and you sold it back in November? What the fuck, Charlotte? I said I was going to come back, and now you're keeping my daughter away from me?" Jaxon sounded annoyed.

I, on the other hand, was pissed. "You mean the daughter that no one knows about? The one you only take claim in front of my family and friends. The one your mother told me you said isn't yours? The one you abandoned? Tell me, Jaxon, what food is your daughter allergic to?"

"That's not fair, Charlotte. I was deployed; I'm sorry I couldn't control that."

"No, you couldn't. But clearly, you had time to get engaged again. You forgot about your daughter and me so quickly. I'm shocked to see she took you back. Good luck to her; she's going to need it." I snapped as I walked away to deliver drinks to the table.

A song came on the jukebox that had me singing along as I made my rounds again. "Charlotte-aaa... I'm so glad you came back. I knew you couldn't stay away from me." Declan sang from the barstool he was sitting on.

"Declan, I love you too much to stay gone. I just needed a vacation with my little girl." I replied. No one really knew about Fred, and that was for the better.

I made my way over to Sam' table with another beer for him. "Can you spare a walk around the block when I get off? I could use a friendly chat without so many damn ears." I asked him.

"Of course." He smiled as he took a sip of beer. "Is he crying about his kid?" I rolled my eyes.

"It's a convenience thing and an ego boost to get me.

Tessa must bore him or something."

"Word is, she won't give it up until marriage, but I highly doubt that's true."

"Well, he isn't getting me ever again," I smirked. I made another pass to all my tables. Jaxon grabbed my arm on my way by. "Charlotte, can we please be civil?"

"I'm civil. I told you, don't hurt my kid. You crossed a line; she doesn't need you any more than I do. Just let it be, please. You have no responsibility to her; let her be happy." I replied as Tessa came back to the table. She gave me a dirty look. "I'll be right back with your drinks, sir."